We play our favorite sport for many different reasons.
Others want to compete with old friends. Still, others want to stay fit. Everyone has a different reason.
In psychology, motivation is often divided into two categories: intrinsic motivation (“I love swimming”) and extrinsic (external) motivation (“I want to win .”).”). Motivation can vary quantitatively as well as qualitatively from person to person. Some people and those with high motivation levels have no motivation (unmotivated athletes). Many studies have shown that a high degree of intrinsic motivation is associated with a successful career in sports.
According to one of the most influential theories on motivation, i.e., Self-determination Theory ( Deci & Ryan, 2000), There are three basic needs that we all tend to focus on, which indicate the presence of intrinsic motivation.
SPORTS, IF ACCOMPANIED BY SUCH FACTORS, CAN SATISFY THESE THREE NEEDS.
In the case of swimming specifically, the need for autonomous behavior results from the ability to learn how to swim in a fluid elements such as water. It is not just that: for young people, for instance, the organization needed to prepare their equipment, get to the pool, then change, and return home after their swim session helps to meet the need for independence.
The act of swimming also helps to meet the need for competency in that it teaches us new skills related to the water. If we are with good company, we can also satisfy our need to be connected.
This information will help us to understand what factors are associated with a swimming environment. Motivated swimmers will go to a pool or sporting environment that brings out these factors.
Our needs will be met even more satisfactorily as we gain confidence in the pool environment. This will result in a behavior that is driven by an increasing level of motivation. For this reason, becoming a competitive swimmer takes a lot of inspiration.
What can we learn from this information?
is the first thing to understand. Listening to your motivations, whether they are high or low, extrinsic or intrinsic, can be a valuable mental exercise to help you better understand why you regularly visit a pool or do not.
will also teach us about how to select a swimming pool that suits our needs and encourages us to continue our favorite physical activity.
